RNC 'investigating' money spent at racy nightclub
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/10/art.steele0110.gi.jpg caption ="A Republican National Committee spokesman told CNN that RNC Chairman Michael Steele considers the money spent at a West Hollywood nightclub a misuse of party money."]Washington (CNN) - The Republican National Committee is examining a nearly $2,000 expense at a racy West Hollywood nightclub where scantily-clad female dancers are reputed to mimic sex acts on stage.
"We are investigating the expenditure in question," a spokesman for the RNC said Monday.
The $1,946.25 expenditure from February 4 is listed under "Meals" on the RNC's latest financial disclosure report filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The money was spent at Voyeur, a hip nightclub on Santa Monica Boulevard sometimes visited by starlets like Lindsay Lohan and Heidi Montag.
Club-goers posting on Yelp, the user-generated review Web site, describe the venue as having "voyeurism cages with men and women" and a "dark velvety feel with masked naked models." One user claimed to witness "two girls simulating oral sex in a glass case."
The surprising expenditure was first noted Monday by The Daily Caller in a story about the committee's spending habits.
Though the story suggested that RNC Chairman Michael Steele himself spent the money at the club, a committee spokesman said that was not the case and made clear that Steele considers the expenditure a misuse of party money.
"This was a reimbursement made to a non-committee staffer," the RNC spokesman told CNN when asked about the nightclub. "The Chairman was never at the location in question, he had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location at all acceptable."
UPDATE: The Republican consultant who charged the RNC for the club visit has been identified.
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The official RNC statement: "The Chairman was never at the location in question" – that is until we see surveillance video of said Chairman entering the club. Too bad it wasn't a gay nightclub.
Ahhhh, those refreshing family values again.
Maybe Marco Rubio was getting his back shaved there while others watched? I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying...
I don't like Michael Steele and don't believe he took part in this, he may be stupid but I don't believe he's this kind of stupid. The GOP are desperately trying to get rid of him and he still hasn't figured that out.
Communist playbook 101, when you have political opposition........Seek and Smear. Get the news off of the actual government takeover of healthcare and talk about $1,900 spent at a strip club. Chavez, Mao, Stalin could not be better at these smear campaigns, in an effort to get off the real topics.
another GOP scandel
Hey, Michael, looks as if your 15 minutes of fame is drawing to a close. How'd that work out for you, buddy?
just another case of the sickening republicans that think they are above the law. why would anyone in their right mind give a dime to these crooks? most of the GOP belong in jail.
The democrats (with the help of CNN) will bang this drum for weeks just to get people off topic of Odumbocare.
Another example of the GOP Fiscal responsibility hypocrisy!
They are fine with spending billions on a War in Iraq, but up in arms over spending money to help the less fortunate among us.
Your Republican National Committee contribution money at work, stimulating the economy.
I actually wonder as much about the amount as the venue. $2000 seems like a lot for dinner. But I guess at that place, you really pay for the service...
Michael Steele, we know it was you. You felt homesick from Baltimore and wanted to see some drop down and get their eagle on.
The party of family values needs strippers to ease the tension and the stress from time to time.
Lately, it seems like Michael Steele has to come out and say a lot of things done by his Republican colleagues are not acceptable. Perhaps he is indeed aligned with the wrong party?
Things like this happen a little to frequently, and in the same breathe they would criticize the Administrations spending? How about they consider cleaning there own backyard first. (rhetorical) Its only when they get caught , will you ever see them investigating embarrassing stints. Its pathetic.
Which traditional American family value is this one?
The red herring factor here is off the chart. Direct the attention of the public to a small problem, so bigger problems can be glossed over.
goodness, Those crazy family valu, bible totting repugs are at it again.
Just when you think they can't embarrass themselves any further, healthcare reform, random bullets in Richmond, boner screaming like a little girl, the AK twit and mccain campaining in Nevada instead of AZ, the go and act like the immoral bunch that they are.
You want to go to a trip club, that's fine with me, but don't talk to me about Jesus and your God and how you live by what you "preach".
People should not be attacking Steele over this. All he was doing was getting a Boehner with contributor's money. These are good conservative family values in action. A perfectly legitimate expense.
Their is nothing wrong with having little fun every now and than. I take my hat off a the man RNC Chairman Michael Steele himself spent the money at the club about $1,946.25 expenditure on "meals" the club had a few shows to watch while you eat. Also like going to Hooter for dinner West Hollywood nightclub where scantily-clad female dancers are reputed to mimic sex acts on stage. Steele the man.
I think we need accountablity here If it were democrat doing this I would like the same treatment , but no expense to the tax prayer this RNC Party needs to get there act together if they are planing a come back this fall , but i seriouly doubt that , all we got from the RNC is bunch lies , and problems ..........
Republicans. Family values. Yeah, right.
Donate more to GOP today!
told dem good ole boys always keep some petty cash on hand
Oh Republicans........ you are all such hypocrites ! It's such a turnoff !